Modern country living at the crown of the glen

What happens when you bring together the clean lines of Georgian architecture, plentiful grounds dressed in timeless country character and playful possibility, an intimate view comparable to a Constable painting, and considerately placed comforts rolled out from the hallway to the top floor? You have something quite perfect: a listed house poised in the intrigue of royal history and the irresistible promise of the present. This is the one the Cotswolds kept quiet. Now its doors are open. Welcome to Chestnut House.

Write your own story in the Five Valleys

There are many reasons one might choose Gloucestershire as their destination for a quick getaway or longer family holiday. It has it all and it has it for all ages. From its tiny timeless villages to its towns conversant in culture and history, its hills and valleys and stretches of uninterrupted green decorated in endless natural beauty, no matter the season, contain something special for every individual.

For years the Cotswolds has proven itself as highly coveted an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as it should be, so it’s no surprise to learn that Charles & Camilla, and Princess Anne’s grand Gatcombe Park are only a stone’s throw away. Chestnut House itself knows a thing or two about royalty, being once home to a German princess.

But this corner of the country is home not only to royalty: it was the cherished idyll for figures rich in other ways: the late Laurie Lee, Stroud and Slad’s own boy, who memorialised through countless equally beautiful words its unrivalled characters and settings; as well as Edward Thomas, Robert Frost and the rest of the Dymock poets.

Writers and royalty aside, what you’ll find at Chestnut House is the means for the whole family to get out and about in an area famous for its variety of activities, culture and present-day, around-the-clock fun.

Gardens and grounds

As you make your way through the far gate, approaching the house by way of its long drive shaded in the woods, and eventually coming out from under the trees and onto the grand sweeping drive, you’ll have your first impression of the unobtrusiveness of the 11 acres this house sits amongst.

Stretch your legs – you’ll want to use them here! Step out of the car and hear that first crunch as you light upon the gravel and look around wide-eyed. You won’t see it all just yet, and that’s the beauty of these grounds.

Stepping past the drive and the immediate external features of the house – large patio, 6-person hot tub, and fountain – the green begins: fit for cricket, football, picnics, parties and more, it unfolds by stages as you make your way past the chicken run and the children’s play area with slide, swings, climbing frame and trampoline. Find more paths: this way down to the barn and stables and that way up past the ménage and through the private field, leading to Nailsworth just half a mile away. You may even spot foxes, badgers, pheasants, deer and other wildlife that sometimes like to make an appearance at Chestnut House.

Living spaces

Step between the pillars and through the front doors. What’s the first thing you see as you step over the Rhodian solid marble threshold? It is the epitome of the years of attention to detail that has gone into making these interiors truly special: a hall stretching out before you, clean and white, gleaming from floor to cornicing in chandelier light.

On your immediate right and left you’ll find the formal dining room and living room, the former featuring an open wood fire and enough comfortable seating for all your guests; the latter comprising modern glass-front wood fire; 50” SMART TV with Sky, Netflix and more; as well as the plush and luxurious sofas on which to lounge while watching your movies.

Moving down the hallway, you’ll find to your right the games room, complete with pool, air hockey and table tennis – OK, let the kids go at it while we carry on. You’ll find an extensive bookcase filled with a variety of literature and lots of popular board games, and finally you’ll find more quality sofas before a log burner and a 55” TV with the same great channels and apps. From both the living room and the games room, open the doors and shutters for instant access to the patio – just a quick bare-footed hop to the hot tub!

Cooking and dining

Limestone flooring surrounds the large centre island of solid black granite. See that control panel? At the touch of a button you have rising from the stone the extraction fan for your own teppanyaki grill. This kitchen does modern oh so well – electric and steam ovens, induction hob, large fridge-freezer with ice machine, and whole-bean espresso machine, as well as a range of cookery books and all the essentials you’ll need for making special meals – or for letting the professionals make them for you!

That’s right: whether you’re dining inside or out, whether you feel like a four-course formal meal or a BBQ meat feast, why not have a specialty catering company or private chef come to the house, bringing with them bespoke and effortless options. They’ll leave you more than replete and won’t leave the house until everything has been cleaned and tidied away. Alternatively, work up your appetite with a short walk into Nailsworth for tapas and cocktails at The Vault, delicious steaks and pastas at Wild Garlic, or fresh fish soup and oysters at William’s.

Bedrooms

Comfort reigns in many ways at Chestnut House, and the final proof of that can be found on the carpets and beneath the sheets of each bedroom. Cool, soft cotton, thick duvets, plump pillows, heavy curtains and dreamy shades that in lamp light or first light come together to create that quintessentially peaceful countryside slumber you won’t want to part with.

Sleeping up to 15 guests, Chestnut House holds on its second and third floors Super Kings, Doubles and Singles, providing options for single adults and couples, as well as children (one room is zip-and-link, meaning that its two Single beds can be attached to make a King).

As well as the two en-suites – one large, with roll-top bath and shower off of the master bedroom (which can just as easily be a shared option) – there is a shared bathroom across the first-floor landing and, on the top floor, a shared bathroom with shower over bath, between the final two bedrooms. You’ll also have the option of sleeping two extra guests on the games room’s Double sofa bed, and one more on a roll-out Single.

What people say

"The Woodmans & Lamkins have had a fabulous weekend. Absolutely perfect. Thank you and Big hugs." - The Woodmans & Lamkins

"What a wonderful long weekend in a beautiful house and gardens. We all (12 of us!) had a fantastic time. We hope to return soon." - Chris Barnes (family booking)

"Thank you so much for letting us stay in your beautiful house. We had a fantastic time with our private chef, murder mystery party and hot tub. This was the perfect venue for it and we didn’t want to leave. Everything was of a very high standard and booking the house was made very easy. We will have to come back and explore Nailsworth again." - Hayley (hen)

"What a fabulous house, had a great weekend, beautiful home, lovely atmosphere, loved the hot tub and what a kitchen!. Thanks for letting us stay." - Helen, Julia & Sue (hens)

"My daughter will have wonderful memories from this weekend. We truly thought that we were living in a dream in Downton. Beautiful house, lovely setting. We all had a wonderful weekend." - Helen (mother of the bride)

"What a wonderful and beautiful house – thank you for having us! We have had an amazing time and made full use of the hot tub and glorious surroundings. I don’t want to leave!!" - Laura (Bride to Be)

"Wow Wow Wow! Your house is just incredible, thank you so much for sharing it with us. We have had a fabulous time from start to finish. We would happily recommend you to others. Also we LOVED RAJA (the taxi guy) what a hero he is!!!!" - Liz & Helen (Laura’s Bridesmaids)

"Thank you so much. We had a fantastic time. Setting is beautiful and the house is stunning. We had everything we needed and more." - Jess, Rosie, Kathryn & Lyndsey (Kirsten’s Hen Do)

"Fabulous house, what a perfect setting for the amazing Hen weekend my wonderful bridesmaids organised. We’ve all had a lovely time enjoying this beautiful house, having fun in the hot tub and taking part in a 1920’s themed Murder Mystery. Thank you very much for the hamper – what a lovely welcome and thanks for letting us enjoy this amazing place." - Ffious (bride to be)

Time spent well in timeless settings

You may have finally escaped the city rush; not looking back for a second. But for just the right balance of adventure and calm, Gloucestershire boasts a variety of things to do with family and friends.